W625 onwards.....
I’ve decided that style is rather stilted and probably not that enjoyable to read – it certainly isn’t entirely interesting to write either!
I will summarise a good chunk, therefore, by saying that, yes, I believe that full use of all the features and fighting all the battles will mean that turns take between 1 and 2 hours, sometimes longer if you have a couple of AI initiated battles in the end turn phase. My advice, don’t press ‘end turn’ if the wife wants you to carve the chicken (replace with something suitable to your own situation) within the next 30mins.....
Either way, and still hoping to elicit comment, I am still tracking various extra bits of data if you want extra detail and can capture other stuff if desired (and I shall edit the opening posts to include a financial tracking element)...
This report therefore covers a 4 year period (to W629), which is definitely significant in terms of this campaign:
The Romans have been fighting on 4 fronts (3-and-a-bit really), which has been a little frustrating. Whilst I have, indeed, been able to keep the building system going, I do not feel there is ‘too much’ money around. Yes, I am staying under the 180k threshold, but not having to try and build really expensive stuff either. The control mechanism has kicked in and all buildings cost 18% more than base at present – must be the increased labour costs of a Good Economy!
What is definitely constraining is the number of recruitment centres. I had felt, as shown previously, that I had chosen enough of them for when the reforms hit. I was able to recruit 2 and then 3 numbered legions quite fast, which released all the Republican and Allied troops to conquer the Gallaeci. Arretium, however, was the only place able to recruit 4 of the possible 8 (not including Praetorians) legions. I may well think of preparing Ariminium as a recruitment centre as well next time. I am also aware it will still take considerable time to bring Massilia online, let alone the Hispanic 4 legions of the future.
This has meant that the VII Claudia fighting in Illyria & Dalmatia; the VIII Augusta in Transalpine Gaul; and, to a much lesser extent, the XI Claudia in Africa; have been on the defensive against, particularly, wave after wave of Macedonians (who, with 18 settlements, must be recruiting in each one every turn and sending them West!), and also repeated Averni incursions. Some of those recruitment centres have simply been dedicated to producing replacements for those troops lost, let alone any desire to produce the late Auxila units I would like too. The fighting strength of those 2 legions particularly was, however, maintained throughout.
The war in Spain remained quiet, with no further Gallaeci troops available to strike, the Capital at Ulaca and the remaining settlement of Mirobriga continued under siege. The summer of 628 saw the latter come to an end as the defenders sallied forth; and the following winter saw the Gallaeci destroyed as the same occurred at Ulaca.
Aulus Cornelius Mammula at the head of the I Germanica and rump of Republicans received a Patellae for his siege at Mirobriga. Following the demise of the Gallaeci I assumed that there would be some additional troops, but, by leaving the capital until last, and logically, there were no emergency levies to try and retake the capital. Troops could be released to other fronts – at last!
During the period a plague, however, hit Italy. Luckily it affected only 2 settlements, the first being Capua, but the second Tarentum, which put a crimp in recruitment there for 2 years. Another event was certainly noteworthy: an unfortunate, whose name is now not spoken due to the God’s wrath, took up the Vexilla of the XIII Gemina and their 1st Cohort (recruited by error!
) to lead to Spain to assume command of the Allied units wasting out. Passing Emporiae on the way there in the winter of 626 he was killed in an earthquake, along with over half his troops; all in all, however, less than has been lost in previous ‘quakes.
P. Valerius Acisulus was then selected to command and was moved to Arretium to obtain the new Vexilla standard, whilst the battered cohort was returned there for retraining. They then returned to Spain together.
The end of the Spanish campaign also saw the retirement of
Gn. Sulpicus Paterculus from command of the Praetorians (although he received the standard without seeing any actual troops during his tenure!). Relieved from earlier Spanish duties he had spent some 10 years in command, dealing with minor rebellions and the occasional Averni incursion through the Alps. He retired as: an Attacker; with an Understanding of Logistics; Scouting skills; as a Legendary Commander; a Night Fighter; a Master Strategist; with natural Command Talent; and having received both Corona Aurea; and Corona Civica. He passed on his standard and military staff to
Spurius Valerius Catullus, who showed promise at a young age.
Now troops could start to move, but leaving occupation forces for Spain. The III Augusta were immediately released for Africa, although it would take 2 years to get there. This could free the XI Claudia for the planned campaigning in nearer Greece, especially when a ceasefire was concluded with the Ptolemaics after a surprise change of ownership of Kyrenaike to Greece. The XIII Gemina headed Allies took ship from Caladunon to conduct a surprise attack against Aginnon in Aquitania; in order to divert the Averni’s attention. This was entirely successful, but with a sting in the tail as the settlement had plague. Luckily it was at the tail end of the disease running its course and only the commander was originally infected.
The freshly recruited X Gemina was dispatched to Gaul to take over from the VIII Augusta, who started to move East and join the VII Claudia at last. The I Germanica have started to consolidate in NE Spain, prior to joining the Gallic campaign. From a long period of being on the defensive in Gaul and Illyria-Dalmatia with single legions, it will now be possible to commit 3 legions to each front, whilst the III Augusta work up in Africa; and upgrade work continues in the newly conquered provinces. As an aside, forts are essential to slowing the enemy advance.
The next several years to the 100th anniversary will be telling....44 settlements are now held.
Re: Roma Surrectum 1-turn - should it be like this?
Whilst the last could be overlooked, now that Thapsus was brought under Roman control, a replacement would have to be found.
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Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by CTD_or_Bust
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Well, I'm 8 years ahead of you and have a little over a thousand battles. So I'm looking forward to trying a 1 turn campaign now instead and having a more languorous time 
. Feels better to play 1 turn; Thank you very much for writing this and persuading me to try it out instead of doing a Seleucid 0 turn. Cheers!
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This is also the immodest one, but I've been playing many years.
